An Audience With Her Majesty (Priv/ Scortia, Athena and Ayato)

Athena was, she had to admit, nervous, and not just because she was in, at the moment, enemy territory. She was going to meet the queen. Queen Scortia, to be precise, leader of the Ki'Sha. Athena, personally, wasn't afraid, but she was wary of this dragoness' power, the control she wielded over the tribe she was potentially joining. One click of her claws and Athena would be mauled by the dragon that reached her first. Two words, and she would die.

Ayato walked beside her, a small comfort, that and her confidence that she could do this. Athena wasn't one to give up easy. It would take more than the sight of a few hundred dangerous dragons to deter her. As she walked down the corridor, Athena became aware of eyes burrowing into her body, something that was happening since she had set foot in the Ki'Sha's lands. She could feel their gazes burning holes into the back of her skull, distaste and scorn the flames that singed the back of her head. Clearly, they didn't like visitors. Much like Athena.

Ayato walked beside her, seemingly at home here. Athena somewhat envied his everlasting composure. While she was able to retain hers, she was not completely calm at all here in this city. The slight, occasional twitching of her feathers told the keen observer that. Athena wasn't exactly excited to be meeting Scortia. The idea of bowing to another was something she repulsed, the idea of grovelling at one's feet a grotesque idea. However, if she wanted to keep her skin, she'd best behave. She would show respect, but she wouldn't go around kissing Scortia's feet.

She didn't know much about her, considering the Ki'Sha were rather reclusive. She knew she was a terrifying female who enjoyed being on 'top of the food chain,' if you could call it that. She wanted respect, and from what Athena heard, respect she got. Dragons who acted as superiors to her were somewhat of a hatred of Athena's, but being able to maintain and rule an entire kingdom, without failure so far, was something Athena could respect, at least somewhat. She had heard rumours of her majesty having a bit of an episode earlier in the year, but that didn't matter too much to her. As long as she kept her scales on, and hopefully earned herself a rank, Athena was happy enough.

As they approached the place they would be meeting her, Athena glanced at Ayato. She knew she wasn't supposed to be friendly towards him, considering they were supposed to be 'strangers,' so she took one last look at him before anyone could see or hear them. Thanks.. for, you know, coming back for me, was all she said before her expression turned neutral, masking all emotion, her feathers stilling as she willed herself to remain completely composed.

The attention he was used to.

Same went for the hostility, mingling with curiosity and sometimes suspicion, in the stares that he met. The owners of those eyes were wise enough to look down and scamper away, which was good, because a second longer would have Ayato mercilessly punishing them, publicly, for such insolence - the warning that gleamed in his eyes was the only warning they would receive, because any other sign of tolerance would result in all of them trying to use it to their advantage, pushing and testing their limits, and eventually it would reach a superior's ears. It would be seen as a sign of weakness, and it would not end well. Ayato had spent so much time crawling up the ranks and garnering respect from the Ki'Shans (though it was more often than not a reluctant sort of respect, or a fearful kind forced into them with shows of power), and he would not destroy his efforts just like that, unless he had good reason to.

He doubted that he would ever have one, but who was he to tease the heavens, the ones who pulled the strings of fate? Occasionally, Ayato's eyes would flick over to Athena to check on her; she, much to her credit, walked with a cool indifference that could rival his own, her strides confident, but her eyes wary, brilliant blue shining through narrowed eyelids. The only thing betraying the nervousness that resided within her heart were the subtle twitches of her body, of the feathers that formed an outer covering, which was bound to be noticed by Scortia, who possessed keen eyes, but that was alright. A dragon lacking signs of nervousness was either very good at disguising their own emotions, or were foolishly arrogant, which the Kuz'a had no time for - appearing flustered and not one bit collected would also be seen as a major flaw.

If she kept it up, she could probably live. Ayato, not for the first time, wondered about her history, her bloodlines: Royal or a peasant? Not that he was going to judge her either way, seeing that he came from a normal family, and despite all that managed to make a name of himself in the Ki'Sha. Perhaps she, too, was capable of great things. He didn't know, but whether or not she was going to be accepted into the Tribe was up to Scortia. Her final decision was what mattered most, and Ayato's face was calm and emotionless as they neared the castle with each step.

"You were a potential member. Of course I came back," came his muttered response.

It wasn’t a usual occurrence that Scortia would allow strangers into her wonderful tribe. In fact, most Ugaans were instructed to kill or warn off intruders on sight. Allowing one conference with the queen usually resulted in a competent, ambitious rogue, or an incredibly naive, ignorant border guard, the second of the two options usually ending in two more deaths than there needed to be. And this was no exception. Scortia wasn’t one to let this inversion go unnoticed. But she was intrigued nonetheless. If any dragon she were to trust to come in with new recruits, it would be her Aliugaans. They were part of her elite guard, after all.

But there were still some pretty heavy odds weighing in on Athena’s head. After all, the Ki’sha hadn’t exactly been going through a soft spot. Everyone was on edge because of the weather and the strange occurrences. Apparently, rogues in general had been becoming more brash, wandering close to the tribal borders, and even crossing them in full confidence, despite clearly knowing they were there. Scortia had even thought about adding in some kind of fence, or marker, in order to keep the pestilent rogues out. What else could she do, after all?

Scortia herself was on edge. Last week, she had snapped at one of her Nftari, a young healer who had been informing her about the new patterns they had been picking up in the weather. The poor dragoness, of course, had been understandably terrified. And that had lead to tension all over the palace. Normally, Scortia didn’t care about what gossip traveled the palace. As long as it didn’t concern her reign, regarding a challenge and such, then it didn’t matter. But for some reason, Scortia was caught up in the stress of everything, as well.

Now, Scortia began to make her way down the halls of her palace, passing the shimmering walls which were decorated in the carvings of her ancestors. The proud legacy of the Linfae family. Her foreclaws would clink against the ivory-sandstone floors, her snake like body slithering behind her. The small group was organized to meet right outside of her palace, where she would take the rogue to a room to be investigated. Sometimes, this would be done by another Aliugaan, or the Grog. But because this rogue had been brought in by an Aliugaan, then the Kuz’a herself would be doing the scanning.

Alongside her, she was accompanied by about five guards, two beside her, and three direction behind her. They were all various sizes, ranging from 30-80 feet tall. Two slaves, shemscaluri, would walk forward, opening up the doors of the palace so that Scortia could walk through, squinting her eyes a bit at the blinding sunlight. And there, several yards away, stood Athena, at the bottom of a set of stairs that led up to the palace.

Scortia’s eyes darted across the two dragons. One she immediately recognized as Ayato, her Aliugaan. The other was the rogue. She was a rather large dragoness, with an icy white and blue pelt. She was also covered in feathers, which seemed to bristle a bit, no doubt with nerves, though she appeared smart enough to keep her head down. Scortia only found it mildly peculiar to see an Ice Dragon in the deserts of Ki’sha land, but it wasn’t like she hadn’t seen it before, The desert could get quite hot after dark.

“Greetings rogue. Ayato.” she said in universal, her voice cold and betraying neither interest nor disdain, “I’m sure you’re quite eager to discover your fate. Guards,” she said, gesturing towards the rogue. Scortia wasn’t one to escort the stranger herself, but her curiosity had gotten the better of her, and she had decided to come see what the stranger looked like firsthand. After all, they would expect a guard to show up and escort them. It was much easier to come herself, so she could see the fear in the rogue’s body language before she managed to contain herself.

Two guards would lope around from the back, down the stairs. They would stand behind Athena and Ayato, though the one behind Ayato was slightly farther away than Athena’s guard. Scortia then nodded her head, signaling them to follow.

(Augh, I would have had a guard lead them, but by the time that idea came to mind I already had this big long post sorted out lol)

At Ayato's attention, the accusing eyes were quickly adverted, fiery hostility extinguished by the cold gaze of the Aliugaan's stare. Athena felt a bit better, having someone with authority with her, in territory she knew she didn't belong just yet. Taking a deep breath, Athena tried to slow her heart, which was starting to toss itself against her rib cage the closer they got to her meeting place. Breathe, she warned herself. Panic will never get you anywhere. You've been in worse situations. She knew that as long as she was respectful and kept her tongue in check, she'd have a good chance of getting in. However, she knew that this wasn't the Ki'Sha's most comfortable times. Certain events had triggered high hostility in those around her, and who could blame them?

"You were a potential member," came Ayato's quiet response. "Of course I came back." Athena nodded slightly, a subtle movement that sent the feathers on her neck lifting to flare in the light breeze. As they approached the steps that led up to the palace, Athena glanced upwards. The castle gazed down at her with an almost forlorn appearance, the clear sky above taunting her. Try to fly away, it whispered. Run, little hatchling.

The sound of the doors opening made Athena snap her head back down, and as they parted, her feathers bristled. There stood Scortia, with a handful of guards forming a somewhat semi-circle around her. She was a tad shorter then Athena, but the aura around her told any half-wit she wielded power. Athena had heard of her, had been told she dominated with an iron fist that would crush any opposers to her rule. Such a ruler would not hesitate in crushing her, so she knew any messing was a no-no.

As the queen's eyes landed on her, Athena lowered her head in a bow, despite her pride daring her to keep it up. Athena didn't enjoy the idea of acting all submissive, but she wasn't exactly looking for trouble, so she decided to make a good first impression, if that was possible. The sun burned into her back, as if glowering at her from behind. It seemed she was surrounded by enemies today.

Then, with a voice that betrayed nothing, Scortia spoke. She greeted Athena, and then Ayato. Athena found it best to keep her mouth shut, so she remained still. At the word, "Guards," her eyes raised to see the queen gesturing to her with a wing, and it was with this brief glance that Athena realised she was an amphi.. Amphi.. Ugh, what was it? She couldn't pronounce it for the life of her.
Returning her eyes to the stone steps, she heard the dragons moving, and her head turned very, very slightly to see two stand behind herself and Ayato, although the one at her rear was slightly closer. Returning her eyes to the queen for a moment, Athena looked just in time to see Scortia nod, a gesture, it seemed, to follow. So she did. What's going to happen to me? She wondered. She had a funny feeling some sort of interrogation would take place, but she wasn't entirely sure.


(Aww, I hate it when that happens XD When ideas come to you and then you realise you'd have to backtrack by like, a mile XD)

Ayato felt a prick of uncertainty well up within him, for the first time since his decision - bringing in a rogue to the Ki'Sha tribe usually did not end well, owing to either the guard acting in desperation to earn approval or a promotion, the rogue not meeting the Ki'Shan standards, or both. A death or two usually followed such an event, some of which he oversaw, sometimes with other Aliugaans, but rarely the Kuz'a herself - she did not have time to bother herself with such things. Ayato wished that he had actually thought it through before making such a move, but then again, he had never really been the rational kind, controlling his impulsive nature just enough in front of more important figures in order to give the impression of a calm, thoughtful dragon. Which he could be, if he wanted, but he typically found himself following his heart. But he also had confidence in Athena, who... seemed different. Perhaps it was his arrogance in thinking that him escorting her would make a difference, but the Kuz'a herself had come down personally to bring them up.

Because he was an Aliugaan, she was willing to make an exception, spare some time from her daily duties to oversee the test of the rogue's capabilities.

Ayato had never been particularly religious - having been raised somewhere else, joining the Ki'Sha only perhaps half a century back, he did not have strong faith in the gods that the Ki'Sha worshipped, but he did pay his respects all the same, supposing that he might as well do so in case there really were heavenly beings up there. But he now found himself hoping, praying that Athena was accepted in - for one, she seemed a worthy candidate, and while was a bit aggressive... Reminded Ayato a bit of himself. If he could get in, why couldn't she?

He found her a bit intriguing, and truly, he didn't really want to let her go that easily. The alternative was either leaving the Ki'Sha, which he found himself unwilling to do, or meet up with her with secret, which would include the breaking of rules, possibly threatening his position if he was ever found out. However, if she didn't get in, then oh well - Ayato would likely be demoted, a humiliating prospect that he did not find appealing, or worse, executed. This situation was indeed dangerous, but what had happened had happened. He wasn't going to start regretting anything now.

The massive doors, into which were carved twisting designs that looped around each other, swung outwards, opened by two Shemscaluri, who bowed their heads in respect as Scortia herself walked out, guards of varying heights shadowing her steps. As always, she held an intimidating, regal aura, her presence unable to go unnoticed despite her smaller size. Her eyes, narrowed against the harsh glare of the sun, did not betray any emotion as she took them in. Ayato bowed his head, not too deep as to appear like a grovelling peasant, just a dip of his head that signaled enough respect. "Greetings, my Kuz'a," he said in an equally emotionless voice, watching as two guards - one he recognised, only in passing - joined the two, standing behind them.

Athena's guard stood much closer as compared to his, and Ayato tossed a disdainful look at the guard that said, I wouldn't come too near if I were you. Not really a threat, just a warning to keep away. Ayato wouldn't like having a guard right at his heels. Then he turned his head forward once more and walked after Scortia, making sure to keep a polite distance between the two. Ayato had met the Kuz'a only a few times, less than five, and their conversations had been nothing more than commands being issued, or discussions regarding his roles and duties.

He wondered what was the fate awaiting Athena. And him.

(Short post is short because I couldn't think of anything and I'm strapped for time.)

The pair was lead through the massive doors, and down the hallway. Scortia didn't even bother to face them once. The guards by her side would glance back every now and then, but otherwise kept their attention focused on Scortia. The group would be lead through the winding corridors with hardly a word spoken between them. That is, until the group finally arrived at a door. One guard stepped forward, opening it up, and allowing them passage inside.

Scortia would glance behind her, gesturing for Ayato and Athena to walk in. She then turned to the guard nearest to her. "You, follow me. The rest of you, stay outside. If you hear the faintest signs of a struggle, enter immediately. Understood?" she asked. The guards outside nodded. Once Athena and Ayato were inside, she closed the door behind her.

The room was dark, with the exception of a lamp shimmering in the center. But it was spacious. It also smelled faintly of blood, which would be unnerving to anybody...

(no problem! :D)

Everything about the castle seemed made to intimidate, to loom, trapping you from escape. As she followed Scortia into the halls, one would notice Athena's feathers raise as the light of the exit faded. Now, without the open sky above her, and enemies all around, she was a caged bird, wings pulled tight to her sides. She felt oddly cramped, despite the fact the walls were far apart and the corridors were spacious. Paranoia, perhaps? She could almost feel the guard's breath on her neck, and it made her want to turn around and bite his head off, but that would be unwise.

Scotia led them like a wolf it's omegas down hallways that snaked and veered. Athena memorised the route, in case.. well, in case she ended up offending her and had to make a quick escape. Then again, by the time she realised what was happening the guards would already be upon her. Her only hope, really, was to pass any tests that the queen had laid out for her and maybe gain entrance into the tribe.

She glanced at Ayato, a brief flicker of her eye. What are you thinking? She asked inside her own head, words bouncing around the inner walls of her skull like a ping pong ball. Shifting her gaze forward, she let her eyes drop to the floor, but even then she felt the guards' gazes burning into her body whenever they glanced back at her.

It seemed to drag on forever, and the deeper they were led into the jaws of the palace the more Athena had to concentrate on keeping her lip from twitching, from her tail lashing with anxiety. Such an action could be perceived as an oncoming attack. Clenching her jaw, Athena took a silent breath and steadied herself. You are a warrior, she reminded herself. Nothing more, yet nothing less. You can do this.

Finally, Scortia halted in front of a door. Athena watched through wary eyes as one of her guards moved forward, opening it with a swift, yet respectful tug of the handle. The queen glanced back at them and Athena lowered her gaze. Recognising the gesture to step inside, she obeyed, moving slowly but steadily in an effort not to alarm the guards. As she passed the queen, she felt the touch of her breath on her scales.

As she stepped inside, she heard Scortia speaking to one of the guards, ordering him to come inside and the rest to charge in at the first sign of trouble. No verbal response was given, although Athena didn't need to glanced back to know they had nodded.


As the door clicked shut behind her, Athena felt even more trapped then ever.


She couldn't see anything in front of her, a black abyss obscuring whatever was in the room, like a thick mist only broken by the lamp emitting a glow from the center, the only source of light in the room. Despite her lack of vision, Athena could feel the emptiness around them. This is a large room, she realised as she took a slow step forward. The wyvern was wary, relying as much on her sight as she did her ability to defend herself. Then, she remembered. First way to scan your surroundings, sight. She couldn't see, so she closed her eyes for a moment and did the second check: hearing. She could hear nothing, so it seemed, for now, nobody was hiding in here, no soft breaths or rustling of scales coming from any direction excluding that of Scortia, the guard and Ayato.

Smell. Her eyelids parted and Athena took a breath, nostrils flaring slightly to expose the pink flesh inside. Almost immediately, her royal blue eyes would narrow, pupils thinning to form cat-like slits, like a crevice in an ocean. There was a scent, a stench that she knew all too well, had spilled much of it and lost just as much. Blood.


What's going on? she wanted to demand. Her feathers rose in wariness, tail twitching slightly at this new development. Panic began to set in, but then she forced herself to exhale. Breathe. They can't hurt you for any good reason unless you give them the chance. She raised her head, awaiting further instructions or a speech from Scortia of some sort.


She was treading in dangerous territory now. And nobody, she knew now, would help her.

It's fine lol, your posts are usually good so an occasional horrible one is fine. --

The silence hung heavy and tense between them, like a blanket smothering their senses; fear and apprehension was woven in with the eerie, oppressive quiet, mostly emanating from Athena, who, despite the deceptive mask of calm she wore, had telltale signs betraying her true emotions, like the occasional twitch of her bladed tail or a slight raising of her cyan-tinged feathers. The disks curving at either side of her tail caught and reflected the dim light of the sconces that were attached to the mostly bare walls, the orange-hearted flames flickering and casting leaping shadows that looked like little scuttling insects if Ayato looked at them from the corner of his eyes.

He felt like he was being led to his doom; fear opened its tearful eyes and threatened to bring knee-buckling panic, but what was he afraid of? Death, the dark cloak of shadow that no one had returned from? He had nothing to lose, did he? His family, half were gone, and the only remaining was a sister he scorned, who likely didn't remember him as vividly as he did her. Ayato stamped down on his emotions savagely, not wishing to overthink things further, and turned his attention to more pressing matters: Would Athena live or die? The decision made by the pullers of the strings of fate would decide the path his life would take, too. Punishment or approval. Death or life.

Ayato managed to remain mostly composed, only a tiny wave of fear rippling through him, which was all he could allow himself to feel. Fear was an enemy you would not like to have. He kept his eyes fixed ahead, the group of dragons walking quickly, quietly, the guards alert and tense. As he met Athena's gaze for a brief moment, he wondered what she was thinking - only to have his question mirrored in her bright blue eyes. Ayato lowered his head slightly and looked away. Thinking about the possible outcomes of this decision of mine. He would, however, accept any punishment as gracefully as possible. He would not run away. Not like his coward sister.

Really, he needed to stop thinking that he would die. But the feeling still tugged on his senses anyway, like an annoying fly buzzing about his head, determined to catch his attention. Scortia stopped in front of a door, issued some instructions to the guards, before motioning for them to go in; Athena went first, then Ayato, then Scortia. As he stepped into the room, he realised that this was the first time he'd ever stepped foot in here. He was not as close to Scortia as Yk'skez was, and thus rarely spent time in the same room as she did, doing so only to receive orders or relay information.

He looked at Scortia, his eyes and expression unreadable. Ayato wondered what kind of challenge she would throw at Athena; wondered if the ice dragoness would be good enough to react in time.

(*slow, steady poke* @Scortia)

bump.

(I'm sorry, I've just had a lot of work. I will try to post tomorrow.)

(I'm sorry y'all, but I can't keep up in this topic. .-. I've lost all motivation to post here. We can say that Scortia interrogated Athena, and after a bit of talking, she agreed to allow her into the Ki'sha, but she would need to remain under the supervision of Ayato or at least one other guard. How's that sound? o3o)

(Sounds great! ^-^ Its no problem)